From Ruins to Road-Ready: Re-Engineering the 1970 Mustang’s Rare Rack End
The 1970 Ford Mustang stands as a titan of automotive history, a symbol of raw American power and classic design. However, for enthusiasts and professional restorers, keeping these muscle cars on the road is a constant battle against time and the dreaded “obsolete” status of critical parts. When a vital steering component like the Rack End (Inner Tie Rod) is no longer in production, the entire restoration process grinds to a halt, leaving a legendary vehicle stranded in the garage.
At Great Auto Parts , we specialize in solving these “impossible” problems. Recently, a client approached us with a severely damaged Rack End from a 1970 Mustang. Our mission was clear: use our 30 years of manufacturing expertise to develop a brand-new, precision-engineered replacement that would restore the vehicle’s legendary handling to its former glory.
The Challenge: Overcoming Severe Damage and Structural Failure
The original sample provided by the client was in critical condition, far beyond simple repair. Decades of road stress and environmental wear had caused the Housing and Ball Rod connection to become dangerously loose. The internal swaging point—the very heart of the part’s structural integrity—was on the verge of total failure.
For most standard manufacturers, a sample this degraded is unusable for accurate measurement. However, Great Auto Parts is not a standard manufacturer. Our R&D team utilized advanced reverse engineering techniques to strip away the damage and calculate the original geometric specifications. We didn’t just copy a broken part; we reconstructed the original design intent, ensuring the new part would meet, and even exceed, modern safety and performance standards.
The Great Auto Parts Advantage: A Library of 2,000+ Components
What gives Great Auto Parts a decisive advantage in the global antique car market? It is our massive, meticulously cataloged component ecosystem. A high-quality Rack End is more than just a piece of metal; it is a precision assembly consisting of three core elements:
- The Housing: The robust outer body that anchors the system.
- The Ball Rod: The articulating shaft that transmits steering force.
- The Bearing: The internal seat that ensures smooth, frictionless movement.
With a production catalog featuring over 2,000 different Rack Ends, we possess an unparalleled library of physical components and digital blueprints. This vast inventory allows our engineers to match, adapt, and combine existing high-quality components to replicate rare parts. This “modular” advantage means we can achieve 100% accuracy without the astronomical costs of developing entirely new molds for every custom project.
Solving the 1/2-20 UNF Thread Mystery
The most difficult technical hurdle in the 1970 Mustang project was the 1/2-20 UNF thread diameter on the Ball Rod. This specific imperial fine thread is a relic of the past, extremely rare in modern automotive steering systems which have largely shifted to metric standards.
Our R&D experts meticulously cross-referenced hundreds of Ball Rods from our existing inventory. After exhaustive comparison and measurement, we identified a Ball Rod with a near-identical length that featured the exact 1/2-20 UNF thread required. By selecting this high-grade material and performing precision CNC modifications, we ensured the part’s structural integrity remained uncompromised. This approach provides a part that is far more reliable than a refurbished old unit or a low-quality aftermarket substitute.
Precision Fitment and Rigorous Trial Assembly
The final stage of development involved locating a Housing that shared the exact dimensions of the Mustang’s unique steering rack. Once the correct Housing was identified, our team performed a rigorous trial assembly.
We didn’t stop at assembly; we compared the newly manufactured unit against the client’s original sample and the matching Tie Rod End to verify total length, thread engagement, and articulation angles. This multi-point verification process guaranteed a perfect “bolt-on” fit. For the car owner, this means the classic Mustang can return to the road with zero modifications required to the original chassis, preserving the vehicle’s historical value.
Lowering the Barrier: Flexible MOQ and Shared Components
Traditional custom manufacturing usually requires a massive Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ), which often scares away individual collectors or small restoration shops. At Great Auto Parts, our ability to utilize shared components from our 2,000+ SKU library changes the landscape:
- Reduced Pressure: We strive to use shared components to manufacture custom orders, significantly lowering the MOQ.
- Cost Efficiency: By leveraging existing tooling, we eliminate the need for expensive mold development, passing those savings directly to the client.
- Superior Quality: Every part, whether a mass-produced OEM item or a one-off custom restoration, is built under our IATF 16949 quality management system.
Your Reliable Partner in Classic Steering Solutions
From a severely loose and damaged sample to a precision-crafted 1970 Ford Mustang Rack End, Great Auto Parts has proven that engineering excellence can bring history back to life. We don’t just manufacture metal; we provide the safety and precision that allows automotive heritage to be experienced where it belongs—on the open road.
Do you have a rare or damaged chassis part that is impossible to find? Or is there a specific part you need to have restored? Don’t let your classic car stay idle. Contact Great Auto Parts today, and let our R&D team turn your old sample into a high-performance reality.